Saturday, August 25, 2012

As I wrote in the previous post, on 14th July hubby and I had visited Oirase Stream in Aomori prefecture. Next day, we visited Cape Omazaki located in the same prefecture. Cape Omazaki is the northernmost point of the axe-shaped Shimokita Peninsula and also of the entire Honshu Island. The cape is geographically located in Oma Town, which is a part of Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park. The cape looks across over the Tsugaru Strait to southern Hokkaido, where Hakodate City is visible on clear days. Shiokubi-misaki of Hokkaido located on the opposite shore is just 18 kilometers from Cape Omazaki. It is the shortest point between Honshu and Hokkaido.

Map showing geographical location of Cape Omazaki

On the night of 14th July, hubby and I stayed at a hotel in Misawa City of Aomori prefecture. The next morning we left the hotel at about 9 am and visited Cape Omazaki which is also located in Aomori prefecture. The cape is located 137 kilometers northwest of Misawa City and it took us about 4 hours to reach there by our car. When we were about 19 kilometers away from Cape Omazaki, we reached an observation point from where we got a beautiful view from afar of the tip of the cape. The rocky coast and the blue color of the majestic Tsugaru Strait left us breathless and seemed to welcome us to Oma Town. The strait was so calm that day.

Hubby standing next to the map of Shimokita Peninsula at the observation point

Mountain, rocky coast, and the tip of Cape Omazaki (indicated by red arrow)

The coast and the tip of Cape Omazaki

The rocky coast

I am standing at the observation point

On reaching Cape Omazaki, we parked our car at a parking area and walked up to the lookout site of the cape. The vicinity of the cape is developed as a park. The lookout site has several monuments and features several touristy photo opportunities. There is a wooden monument with ‘Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park Omazaki’ written on it. Oma Town is well known for tuna fishing industry. In fact, the town is famous all over the country as the base port of Ippon zuri (fishing one by one with single line rod and reel) style of tuna fishing. We saw an interesting monument of a huge tuna fish erected at the lookout site with ‘Oma - Town of Ippon zuri style of tuna fishing’ written on a nearby board. This tuna fish monument is very popular photography subject amongst tourists. In addition, another stone monument inscribed with the words meaning ‘this is the northernmost point of Honshu’ also stands at the lookout site.

Broad view of the lookout site of Cape Omazaki

I am standing at the lookout site

I am standing next to the wooden monument with ‘Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park Omazaki’ written on it

I am standing in front of the monument of huge tuna fish

Hubby standing in front of the monument of tuna fish

Hubby standing next to the stone monument with ‘this is the northernmost point of Honshu’ written on it

Hubby and the lower portion of the stone monument

Next we walked past the monuments at the lookout site, and reached several stone steps that led to shallow coastal waters of the Tsugaru Strait at the cape. From this angle, the monuments looked a bit weird as we could only see the back side of the monuments. In addition, we saw an observatory building at the cape that looks out across the strait. We walked down the stone steps, and the magnificent view of the strait from the cape made us realize that we were standing at the tip of Honshu Island.

The back side of the monument of tuna fish and an observatory building at the lookout site of the cape

I am standing at the tip of Honshu Island

Hubby standing at the tip of Honshu Island

Another view of hubby standing at the tip of Honshu Island

Standing at the northernmost point of Honshu Island, right in front of us we saw a lighthouse named Omazaki Toudai. The lighthouse is located on Bentenjima Island, which is a small island 600 meters off Cape Omazaki and is within the borders of Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park. The lighthouse illuminates the Tsugaru Strait at the entrance to Mutsu Bay. The original lighthouse was constructed in 1921. It was ruined during World War II but was reconstructed in 1953. It was fully automated in 1993 and is now unmanned.

Omazaki Toudai Lighthouse on Bentenjima Island

Another view of the lighthouse

Hubby and the lighthouse

Next, we walked leisurely towards the southwest of the lookout site area and enjoyed viewing the scenic cape, the lighthouse, and the strait. The water of the strait is so clear and clean. Walking further along the way, we saw a few boats at a small harbor for local fishermen. Afterwards we returned back to the lookout site area.

I am enjoying viewing the strait and the lighthouse

Water of the strait is so clear

A small harbor with boats

The cape is lined with many souvenir shops and restaurants. We went to one of the souvenir shops and bought a pair of cute frog dolls. Near this souvenir shop, we saw a few stalls selling grilled octopuses and squids. A stall owner told us that prior to grilling, octopuses and squids are hung up in the air and in the sun so that they dry out. We bought a grilled octopus tentacle and had it. It was delicious.

The lookout site of the cape and a few souvenir shops across the road

More souvenir shops

Colorful advertisements of various fishing ships and boats of Oma Town

We bought a pair of cute frog dolls

A stall selling grilled octopuses and squids

Hanging octopuses and squids

We had late lunch at a restaurant named Omanzoku located near the cape. The restaurant specializes in tuna fish dishes but offers other types of fishes and seafood as well. Inside the restaurant, we saw a few photo panels showing huge tuna fishes caught by the owner or people related to this restaurant. This restaurant was featured in a popular television food program named ‘Himitsu no Kenmin Show’. Seeing the beautiful pictures of various kinds of dishes on the menu made my mouth water. We had maguro-don (raw tuna slices over a bowl of rice) set and sea urchin sashimi in the shell itself. The food was extremely fresh and delicious.

Omanzoku Restaurant

Photo of a huge tuna fish is displayed on the wall inside the restaurant. The fish weighed 232 kilograms and was caught on August 29, 2010.

Logo of the television program ‘Himitsu no Kenmin Show’ is displayed on the wall of the restaurant

Front side of the menu

Back side of the menu

Maguro-don set

Sea urchin sashimi

Hubby having maguro-don

Hubby having sea urchin sashimi

After lunch we left Cape Omazaki area. We loved the scenic beauty of the cape very much. While walking back towards the car parking area, we saw a large colony of seagulls in a nearby marsh. It was an absolutely stunning view. We headed south towards Aomori City. On our way, somewhere along the rocky coast of Tsugaru Strait, we saw a wooden indicator with several boards showing directions and distances to Paris, Beijing, Seoul, New York, and Hawaii. We had a good laugh seeing such a funny indicator. It took us about 4 hours to reach Aomori City. At about 9 pm we checked into a hotel in the city and retired to bed immediately. The next morning we went to see rice field artwork in Inakadate Village of Aomori prefecture about which I will write in the next post.

Large colony of seagulls in a marsh

A funny wooden indicator with boards showing distances to Paris, Beijing, Seoul, New York, and Hawaii

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

From 14th to 16th July, hubby and I visited a few places in Aomori prefecture. On the 14th, we visited Oirase Stream which is one of the most popular sightseeing spot in Aomori prefecture. The place is a popular destination for tourists during spring and summer seasons of new fresh green leaves as well as during autumn season of colored foliage. A river named Oirase River flows from Lake Towada, a caldera lake on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures. In fact, this river is the only outlet draining Lake Towada. The river flows in the eastern direction and exits into the Pacific Ocean. The uppermost initial 14-kilometer section of Oirase River between Nenokuchi Town and Yakeyama Town is called the Oirase Stream. Oirase Stream flows along the floor of a scenic gorge with numerous rapids and waterfalls. Actually more than a dozen waterfalls cascade down into the stream all along its length from the walls of the gorge. The stream runs through virgin forest containing white cedar, Japanese beech, and maple trees. Oirase Stream along with Lake Towada has been designated as a national special place of scenic beauty and as a natural monument.

Oirase Stream starts from Lake Towada at Nenokuchi where there is a bus stop and a boat pier with connections to nearby Yasumiya Town. There is an easy hiking trail along the most scenic upper passage of the stream between Nenokuchi and Ishigedo, with many bridges and waterfalls along the way. This trail is about 9 kilometers long and takes about 2.5 hours to walk one way. Walking the entire 14 kilometers passage of the stream up to Yakeyama takes about 5 hours. A road runs alongside Oirase Stream which provides a convenient transportation along the stream for visitors not wishing to walk.

On 14th July, we left our home at about 9.30 am. Lake Towada and Oirase Stream area is located about 210 kilometers northeast of our home and it took us about 4.5 hours to reach there by our car. Initially we went to see Lake Towada but we did not spend much time at the lake as we had already visited the lake in June 2009. Please click here to read my blog post about Lake Towada. This time we spent a few minutes walking along a pier and enjoyed the cool lake breeze and the beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains.

A pier on Lake Towada

The pier, the lake, and the surrounding mountains

Beautiful scenery

I am standing on the pier

Hubby standing on the pier

Crystal clear water of the lake

We drove another 3 kilometers north and reached a favorable spot near Oirase Stream. We parked our car at a small parking area and started walking along the hiking trail from Nenokuchi side towards Ishigedo. While walking along the banks of the stream, we enjoyed viewing the dense green vegetation and the stream itself.

Oirase Stream and greenery

Stream and I

Stream and green vegetation

I am walking along the stream

Hubby standing on the bank of the stream

While walking along the trail, we reached a breathtaking waterfall named Choshi Otaki Waterfall. The waterfall is 20 meters wide and 7 meters high, and it is the only waterfall flowing in the main stream of Oirase River. There is natural mist everywhere around the waterfall. Because of this waterfall, fishes living in Oirase River have been unable to enter into Lake Towada. We loved viewing this wonderful waterfall. Tourists with limited time visit Oirase Stream to see only a few favorite spots and this waterfall is one amongst such spots. Therefore for an easy access to the waterfall, there is a bus stop and a parking area nearby.

Hubby standing next to a board indicating that he is only 100 meters away from Choshi Otaki Waterfall

Side view of Choshi Otaki Waterfall

Front view of Choshi Otaki Waterfall and the greenery

Breathtaking waterfall

I am standing in front of the waterfall

Hubby and the waterfall

Near Choshi Otaki Waterfall, we saw a small stream coming down the rocks. The hiking trail weaves around Oirase Stream. While walking along the trail, we saw close-up the beauty of nature, such as fresh green forest, luxuriant ferns, and rich mosses. We crossed a moss covered wooden bridge over the stream and saw beautiful ripples in the stream. Along the trail, there are huge rocks and several more wooden bridges covered with plants and mosses. While walking further, we saw steep dark-stoned cliffs of the scenic gorge. We enjoyed the treasure of natural green beauty all around us.

A small stream coming down the rocks

Hubby walking along the hiking trail

I am enjoying seeing a fern plant

I am walking along the hiking trail. Misty Choshi Otaki Waterfall is seen in the background.

Hubby along with Choshi Otaki Waterfall in the background

Oirase Stream and green forest as viewed from a wooden bridge over the stream

Hubby walked across the wooden bridge and standing on the bank of the stream

Hubby standing next to a huge rock covered with mosses and plants

Hubby standing on a moss covered wooden bridge

Steep dark-stoned cliffs of the gorge

Dark stones of the gorge

Huge rocks covered with ferns, mosses, and plants

Next we saw a waterfall named Kudan Waterfall on the left bank of the stream. Kudan means nine steps. Here water flows gently over the nine stepped complex stone stratum. The cascading waterfall is a beautiful sight to behold.

Kudan Waterfall and greenery

Close up view of Kudan Waterfall

I am standing in front of the waterfall

As we walked further along the hiking trail, we crossed yet another wooden bridge over Oirase Stream. This bridge is located over a very rapid section of the stream. Here we saw many rocks exposed over the water surface and the strong flowing water splashing over and around the rocks. Walking further, we saw that the stream calmed down a little bit and the water flow was smoother. We also saw a fallen tree over the stream that actually spanned across the stream. We noted that various kinds of plants and mushrooms had grown on the fallen tree. As we kept walking further along the trail, we reached a section of the stream where one bank is full of dense green vegetation and the opposite bank has huge rocks covered in mosses and plants.

Rapid section of the stream on one side (Nenokuchi side) of the wooden bridge

Rapid section of the stream on the other side of the bridge

Another rapid section of the stream

Calmed down and smoother flowing section of the stream. In the background we can see the rapid section of the stream.

A fallen tree across the stream

Mushrooms on the fallen tree

I am walking along the hiking trail. The fallen tree across the stream is seen in the background.

The stream with green vegetation on the left bank and huge moss covered rocks on the right bank

Next we saw Furou Waterfall on the left bank of the stream. Furou mean eternal youth. The waterfall is named Furou because it has never been dry. It is said that we can live long after drinking this water. On the left bank near Furou Waterfall, we saw another waterfall named Shiraito Waterfall. Shiraito means white thread, and many thin lines of water flows down this waterfall.

Furou Waterfall

The stream along with the side view of Shiraito Waterfall (marked by red arrow) in the background

I am standing near the stream. Side view of the lower portion of Shiraito Waterfall is seen in the background.

Shiraito Waterfall

Walking further along the trail, we saw blooming shrubs named Oni Shimotsuke (Filipendula kamtschatica). These shrubs flower only during summer to early fall seasons. The flowers are fluffy and white in color with a tinge of pink. Walking further, we saw several fallen tree branches over the stream. At one point, we saw yet another huge fallen tree across the stream.

Hubby walking along the hiking trail

Oni Shimotsuke flowers

Fallen tree branches over the stream

Hubby standing next to a huge fallen tree across the stream

Next, we saw a board with Tamadare Waterfall written on it. This waterfall is on the right bank of the stream. However, we saw only a man-made drainage system near the board. We were very surprised and really appreciated the sense of humor of the tourism division of Aomori prefectural government. Only later, after we left the place, did we realize that we were supposed to look further up the cliff on the right bank to see the waterfall.

Hubby standing next to the board with Tamadare Waterfall written on it

We had walked about 4.2 kilometers down the hiking trail along the stream. I was a bit tired and so we decided to stop walking any further. There were many more waterfalls and scenic places to see but we decided to visit them another day in the future. We loved visiting Oirase Stream surrounded by dense green vegetation. I compiled a video of our walk down the trail along Oirase Stream.

A compiled video of our walk down the trail along Oirase Stream

It took us almost an hour to walk back up to the car parking area. We left the Oirase Stream area at about 5 pm and drove up to Misawa City in Aomori prefecture. Misawa City is located about 55 kilometers east-northeast of Oirase Stream and it took us about 1.5 hours to reach there by our car. That night we stayed at a hotel in Misawa City, and the next day we visited Omazaki Cape in Aomori prefecture about which I will write in the next post.

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About Me

I am an Indian living in Japan for the past 19 years. I am a scientist researcher of Physics by profession. However since October 2008, I am taking a long break from my job and enjoying the life of a homemaker in Akita prefecture with my Japanese hubby. Akita prefecture is in northern Japan and is known for its scenic natural beauty. In this blog I write about my life with hubby, everyday life experiences, and our sightseeing trips. We both love visiting news places a lot!